Swimming for the kids

At five months of age, Robbie Buchan contracted Meningoccoccal B Septicaemia. He spent the next 18 months in PMH – two months in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and sixteen months in the Burns Unit.

Robbie tragically lost most of his arms and legs, but burns specialist Dr Fiona Wood and her team managed to delay the amputations for nearly sixteen months. This process enabled Robbie to retain stumps on his limbs, suitable for future prosthetics.

Leigh and his grandson Robbie

Leigh’s fundraising swim, on behalf of the whole family, is his way to say thank you to the staff that cared for and loved Robbie during his long stay at the hospital. He hopes to raise $10,000 to fund a project that will further train staff in the psychological care of patients who have suffered both physical and mental scars from a burn injury.

Leigh is a former beach sprint champion and head coach, but has always kept his feet firmly on dry land.

“If Robbie can push through all that he has been thrown at him, I’m determined to put in the effort and get through this swim,” he says determinedly.

What the team at PMH did for Robbie was exceptional.

For more information on how to challenge yourself and raise funds click here